Notices by The Omega Molecule (omegamolecule@tenforward.social)

My latest Trek loot from the library. I never read Trek novels back when VOY and DS9 were airing, probably because I was up to my eyeballs in reading assignments for classes. Looking forward to digging into this VOY novel since I know the characters so well. Also curious to learn more about Kirsten Beyer since I understand she’s overseeing the DISCO novels.

Are they ever going to discuss Sybok? I keep wondering about that now that we’re seeing all these scenes at Sarek and Amanda’s home. Even if Sybok’s not there, it’s becoming a question mark that he’s not even mentioned in passing. I’ve thought off and on that because Sybok exists, it’s pretty much fair game for them to write Burnham in after the fact as well.

Excited for the Season 2 premiere of Discovery tonight. Captain Pike! Spock! Number One! (And can I just say how cool it is that we have an incoming captain who is a Trek fan himself?) Might just queue up the final episode of Season 1 to refresh everything in my mind before showtime. 📺🍿🤓🖖

I’ve reached the point in Season 1 in which Culber tells Stamets the mycelial network is at risk of collapse, endangering all existence in all universes. If I understood the Season 2 trailer correctly, that’s what the Red Angel is doing as well (how is unclear so far). So all life across all spaces is yet again under threat?

I noticed tonight that IMDB has the schedule for when Season 2 of Discovery will be aired. Starting on January 17, we’ll have a new episode each Thursday right on through the return of Daylight Saving time here in the US. That’s welcome news as winter deepens and hibernation instincts kick in. Something to look forward to. ✨

I really enjoyed this Saru-themed Short Trek, and I bet it will be among the more popular ones since it plugs directly into Discovery. Listened to the discussion about it on The Lower Decks and they drew a nice parallel to Pen Pals, one of my favorite TNG episodes. And, as others have noted, his species name (Kelpien) seems to have some literal roots what with all that kelp they were collecting...

There’s also the eternal gap between folks who come to Trek for the action and folks who come to it for the contemplation. Ergo why some found Calypso ponderous. I enjoy both action and reflection, so that distinction isn’t so important for me. I thoroughly enjoyed Calypso and think it’s brilliant sci-fi. I like the idea that there’s Trek out there for all people, though—episodes that excel in excitement, others that stand out for their quiet grace.

Making my way through the podcast reviews of Calypso and there’s a pretty clear divide in analysis between folks who are assessing it based on their knowledge of the Odyssey and folks who are just coming to it as pure Trek or sci-fi. As one of those nerds who read Greek mythology for fun as a kid, the Odyssey angle is more personally satisfying to me. But the diversity of opinions is enjoyable in and of itself.

Watching “Under the Skin,” an art-house film with sci-fi elements starring Scarlett Johansson. I’d read that it has a hint of the Solaris aesthetic and it seems that way to me. Ambiguous, questioning, searching. From time to time I really enjoy films like these that resist easy definition.

Star Trek movies and TV shows are on sale at a fairly good discount right now in the iTunes store. Makes sense: Season 2 of Discovery is just around the corner. If you’ve been meaning to snap anything up, now might be a good time.

Really enjoyed this vignette featuring Tilly and the Xahean Queen. I wonder who played Tilly's mom. Seems like Tilly is in the process of forming a new family on Discovery that will support her growth rather than limit her ambitions. Meanwhile, Po has a great opportunity to lead her people (love the concept of being twinned with your planet, invested in her future). Perhaps Tilly and Po will meet again in the future? What was your take? cc @quark

Just watched the trailer for Season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery on my TV. I wonder: when they show Stamets excising that spirit/life form/alien/unidentified entity from Tilly, could that have anything to do with what landed on her shoulder at the end of Season 1?

Even noticing how Voq and L’Rell slowly come into focus behind T’Kuvma is interesting. And that prayer T’Kuvma recites at the close of Episode 2 has new meaning now. The writers were laying a foundation for later developments from the very beginning. Satisfying to watch.

This is how I thought it could potentially play out. After all, I enjoy past Trek shows rather effortlessly because I already know so much about the characters and the story—all that context is essentially baked in anytime I watch. I had a feeling that, over time, I might be able to appreciate Discovery in similar ways. The stunning visuals are making even more of an impression on me now that I’m no longer trying to figure everything out. Getting much more out of Season One now.

Rewatching the first two episodes of Discovery. I’m enjoying it so much more after having had some time to reflect on the first season, both on my own and through listening to other Trek fans’ conversations on podcasts. There are little details now, like Burnham’s annoyance at being detailed to the USS Shenzhou, that all make sense now that I have more context. It comes together quite nicely.